Plaiting device.



M. D. DICKMAN.

PLAITING DEVXCE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 23. 1916.

Patented June 26, 1917.

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MARGARET DARWIN DICKMAN, OF DULUTH, MINNESOTA.

PLAI'IING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 26, 1917.

Application filed May 23, 1916. Serial No. 99,282.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARGARET DARWlN DIOKMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Duluth, in the county of St. Louis and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Plaiting Devices, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention consists of certain new and useful improvements in plaiting devices and relates especially to such devices for forming plaits in dress and similar goods.

The object is to provide a simple device of this character Wholly manipulated by hand, simple of construction, accurate in accomplishment and one upon which various forms of plaits may be produced either upon straight or gored fabric as desired.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this application, and in which like reference characters indicate like parts:

Figure l is a fragmentary perspective View of one of my knife plaiters showing a piece of cloth applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a fraction of same.

Fig. 3 is a perspective View illustrating the manner of applying the goods to the knife plaiter.

In Fig. l, 1 represents the foundation or base of the plaiter which is preferably composed of a strong piece of fabric, such as heavy muslin or sheeting, to which is socurely sewed by a single line of stitching as at 2 a series of flexible strips 3 composed preferably of strong cardboard or the like. These strips are made to considerably overlap each other when sewed fiat upon the muslin, there being a uniform space as shown at 4 intermediate the edge adjacent the stitching on one strip and the stitching upon the next adjoining strip. The object of this uniform space will be hereinafter described.

The foundation 1 is preferably of a size to accommodate the length of any ordinary skirt pattern and of a width to form simultaneously the desired and convenient number of plaits. Such size would be approxi mately 2 by 4 feet. The strips 3 are of a 1 length somewhat shorter than that of the foundation 1 and sewed thereupon in such a manner that a portion of the foundation extends beyond the ends thereof.

A cloth covering 5 in the form of a fabric having a decided nap thereupon, such as outing flannel, is securely fixed by suitable soluble adhesive substance, such as glue, to and around the strips 3 and to the upper surface of the foundation 1, except as to the extreme ends thereof which projects beyond the ends of the strips. The length of the cover cloth 5 is equal to that of the foundation which results in folded or overlapped end portions of the cover, such as illustrated at 6, and which overlapping folds are basted or temporarily stitched to the edges of the foundation, as illustrated at 7.

Thus when the cover cloth becomes unduly worn or injured by use, the stitching 7 may be taken out and the cover removed by forcibly severing it from its adhesive engagement with the strips and foundation and a new cover readily installed. The object of using a cover cloth having a decided nap is to derive the benefits of the nap, in preventing undue slipping about of the goods being applied thereto and for assisting in keeping that portion of the goods tucked in between the strips 3 in its proper place. The nap also assists in keeping delicate fabrics such as silk and the like, from becoming shiny by the pressing process.

The inner edge of each strip 3 terminating in such a manner as to form the longitudinal space t above referred to, also assists in the holding of the folds of cloth in place between the strips. Furthermore after the goods is applied to the plaiter and the lat ter turned over for pressing, the edges of the folds of the cloth between the strips and in the space 4 are directly accessible to the ironing process with but a single thickness of the foundation between them and the iron, except that of a damp cloth, which may be used and is customary in such practice, thus effecting the most desirable result.

It is understood that the goods is to be pressed upon both sides after being placed within the plaiter. 8 represents a piece of goods being placed within the plaiter, as illustrated in Fig. 8 of the drawings, and which process is accomplished by the hands of the operator, the inner edge first being pinned as'at 9 to the edge of the foundation for assisting in holding it in place.

It is evident that the fixed strips on the plaiter may be formed in such a manner as to radiate from a common center for the plaiter here illustrated, on a gored piece of goods by simply making the tucked under portion of the goods on one end thereof less in width than at the other end.)

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A plaiting device of the character described, comprising aflexible fabric foundation, a series of overlapping strips fixed to one surface thereof and of a length less than that of the foundation, a fabric glued to the strips and to the foundation intermediate the strips and extending beyond the ends thereof, said extending portions at the ends of the strips being stitched to the foundation substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. A plaiting device of the character described, comprising a flexible fabric foundation, a series of overlapping strips fixed to one surface thereof, their fixed edges being spaced apart and a fabric glued to the strips Copies of this patent may be obtained for and to the foundation intermediate the strips, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. The combination with a plaiting device of the character described, comprising a flexible foundation, a plurality of narrow flexible strips securely fastened to the foundation and overlap-ping each other, of a fabrichaving a pronounced nap thereupon for frictional purposes, glued to the strips and foundation forming a wearing covering for same.

4. The combination with a plaiting device of the character described, comprising a flexible foundation, a plurality of narrow flexible strips fastened to the foundation and spaced apart in such a manner as to expose a portion of the foundation inter mediate the strips, of a fabric having a pronounced nap thereupon, for frictional pur poses, glued to the strips and foundation forming a wearing covering for same.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

MARGARET DARWIN DICK-MAN.

Witnesses:

H. L. LALIBERTE, S. GEO. STEVENS.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. G. 

